protection from assault, as well as a lifesaver in case of an emergency health event.
Common perception: Trails = (physical activity = health) + socializing Findings: Trails = (physical activity + socializing) = health
Out of the 14 people LQWHUYLHZHG ÂżYH VDLG WKDW safety is an important motivation in exercising with others on the trail. One said that because of her concern for her safety, she would be unlikely to exercise if she was by herself. Survey results showed 21 percent of women considered the lack of a walking partner as prohibitive of them using the trail (compared to only 4 percent of men). $OVR WKH EHQHÂżWV RI the trail may not be equally shared by all demographics. Researchers found that most GreenBelt users are white (86 percent), female (54 percent) and have an average household income of between $50,000 and $75,000. These numbers diverge from the population of the county (which, according to the 2015 census, is about 72 percent white, 51 percent female and has a median household income of $45,000). This suggests that some community members are having a harder time accessing WKH KHDOWK EHQHÂżWV RI WKH *UHHQ%HOW Targeted interviews with both users and nonusers suggested that time constraints, safe access to the trail and exercise preferences LQĂ€XHQFHG WKH ORZHU QXPEHUV RI ORZHU LQFRPH and minority trail users. However, at the time of the survey, the trail had not been completed through the lowest-income or more ethnically diverse areas, so these numbers may change over time.
7KH VWXG\ÂśV ÂżQGLQJV suggest that facilities designed to promote socializing along trails (such as pocket parks, playgrounds and basketball courts) encourage community EXLOGLQJ ZLWK EHQHÂżWV QRW only for health, but also for civic engagement.
Conclusion and Recommendations A common perception is that socializing, while valuable for many reasons, is incidental to the KHDOWK EHQHÂżWV RI D SDUN This study suggests, however, that the opportunity to be with other people on the trail actually contributes to better self-reported health outcomes. Women reported a higher tendency to socialize on the trail and were also more likely to report that they were in a better state of health than before they began using LW 4XDOLWDWLYH LQWHUYLHZV FRQÂżUPHG WKDW PHQ and women alike value their time with other people on the trail and give credit to the trail for helping them on their journey to health. 7KLV ÂżQGLQJ VXSSRUWV UHVHDUFK LQ WKH social sciences, which proposes that strong relationships with other people contribute to positive health outcomes. This relationship can be playfully presented in the following way:
7KHVH ¿QGLQJV DOVR suggest that the issue of safety is a concern to be continuously revisited – implementing best practices in safe-space design and monitoring is critical – and that encouraging trail use across lines of income and ethnicity through targeted public education and appropriate trail amenities will increase a WUDLOœV KHDOWK EHQH¿WV The take-home message is that trails, and parks in general, contribute to health in multiple ways. Trail experiences play a role in combating stress and building strong community relationships, both critical elements in our nation’s public health. WGL Lisa L. Gezon is a Professor of Anthropology and Chair, Department of Anthropology at the University of West Georgia. Emily McKendrySmith is an Assistant Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology at the University of West Georgia. Anne Kristen Hunter is an Instructor, Department of Sociology at the University of West Georgia. West Georgia Living
GreenBelt Commemorative 67